not really a thrifty point but I wanted ya'll input.

i love the "idea" of making it, having natural and completely safe producgts in the home and the look of them all sitting in my repurposed jars (okay so there is the thrifty bit ;) )

but do I want to. I LOVE the book I have with all of the recipes. Once I start it won't be a big deal to freshen up a batch will it?

I want to use my labeler :cuc: to put labels on the jars and put the recipe/instructions right on the jar too.

oh I don't know!!! :D

nobody said that you have to do it all :) or all at the same time! Make a good all purpose spray and go from there.

I go back and forth.

Right now I have those premoistend wipes that pop up out of the containers and my house has never been cleaner! I feel ok about it though because I use the containers for organizing stuff!!!!

I have a brand that I like (bio-life) and I dilute everything I use. I love the scents and how it works but I find it works (and smells!) just as well if I dilute the sprays half with water. I do keep the excess in repurposed jars, labeled with instructions for next use ;)

Some things I make but I feel you have to find what works best for you and what will help you best in the long run. You can make enviro-friendly, frugal choices :)

nobody said that you have to do it all :) or all at the same time! Make a good all purpose spray and go from there.

r u sure heather? i think i herad someone tell me to be superwoman!!!

































but you are right - eek! :lol: i woulf love to find something or two that works for the whole house

I don't anymore. I gave up when Method worked very well and, really, we're talking about like $3 a month. :lol:

I buy 7th Gen now because my target carries it, though.

I'm devoted to Dr. Bronners (peppermint) and Mrs Meyers (any scent!) because scent is super important to me. I know it's silly but it puts me in the mood (to clean :lol:).

I don't get that same cleaning high from homemade cleaners even if I scent with essential oils.

Oh I do have some Mrs. Meyers, too - gingerbread, though, so I'm saving it for next Christmas :rolleyes:

Co-op was SLooooooow

I love Mrs. Meyers. The all purpose cleaner is great and you can get a concentrate to refill. I also use the dishsoap and dryer sheets.

Mrs Meyer's dishsoap makes great shampoo too ;) I've been know to buy it just for my hair lol.

I make my own, but I love Mrs. Meyers. Scent is important to me too and Mrs. Meyers makes me happy when I clean. :lol: I have some gingerbread left and I also have some lemon verbena. I really want to try the rhubarb scent, but shipping is so high.

If you want to try making something, I would start with an all purpose cleaner like a PP mentioned. I have homemade all purpose cleaner on hand at all times. I have been making it lately with almond scented Dr. Bronners and it smells really nice.

I keep it really simple...a box of baking soda and a spray bottle of water/vinegar. I do use toilet bowl cleaner, plain old Clorox stuff, and the occasional Clorox wipes for the toilet bowl. Occasional as in, I buy them when I am in the mood or they're on sale.

i have no clue why this is so hard for me. can anyone give me some insight?

i have no clue why this is so hard for me. can anyone give me some insight?

What do you use now? I use vinegar/water spray for: windows, appliances, floors, bathroom sink, toilet, tile, etc. I use a damp cloth for wood surfaces (water only). I use baking soda and natural dish soap (I buy, don't make the dish soap) for a tub scrub to get off the soap scum/dirt, and I use that same mix (made up as I go, just squirt dish soap into a pile of baking soda) for anything else that needs scrubbing...

I think maybe look at what products you want to replace and do it one at a time so it isn't so overwhelming and you can "try" it. Or, just buy the products you like and don't worry about it so much! :)

I find Karen Logan's book Clean House Clean Planet (http://www.amazon.com/Clean-House-Planet-Karen-Logan/dp/0671535951/ref=pd_bbs_sr_1?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1207781474&sr=8-1) to be very helpful -- informative and easy to use, but not too daunting.

I'm a TERRIBLE house cleaner, but I've found that making and using my own stuff actually motivates me (well, somewhat). I'm not 100% homemade, but I have a decent stash of ess. oils to play around with scents, and really you can make almost everything in the book with just that, baking soda, borax, dr. bronner's, and vinegar. So it's not necessarily a big initial investment if you just want to dabble.

yes the book i have is very simple too. i need plain dr bronners, eos, baking soda, vinegar, and sometimes murphy's and soap flakes.

maybe I am just trying to over-do it with the thought of making laundry powder and instead I just need to find:

1)laundry detergent
2)dishwashing detergent
3)wood polish/dusting aide

i am going to try it out for a while. a few eos, dr bronners unscented liquid, and go from there.

What do you use now? I use vinegar/water spray for: windows, appliances, floors, bathroom sink, toilet, tile, etc. I use a damp cloth for wood surfaces (water only). I use baking soda and natural dish soap (I buy, don't make the dish soap) for a tub scrub to get off the soap scum/dirt, and I use that same mix (made up as I go, just squirt dish soap into a pile of baking soda) for anything else that needs scrubbing...

I think maybe look at what products you want to replace and do it one at a time so it isn't so overwhelming and you can "try" it. Or, just buy the products you like and don't worry about it so much! :)

LOL! its kind of like obsessing over buying office products i think ;)

i use vinegar and water, baking soda, borax, microterry for dusting dry, just got 7th gen dish soap.

i want a bit if everything all over the house to make cleaning easier. i think some of my hesitation and worry is b/c dh is leaving and I want things easy :lol: so I am making them harder! I also want things healthy with the baby getting ready to call, toddler hands touching things etc...

LOL! its kind of like obsessing over buying office products i think ;)

i use vinegar and water, baking soda, borax, microterry for dusting dry, just got 7th gen dish soap.

i want a bit if everything all over the house to make cleaning easier. i think some of my hesitation and worry is b/c dh is leaving and I want things easy :lol: so I am making them harder! I also want things healthy with the baby getting ready to call, toddler hands touching things etc...

:lol: :D I understand perfectly now.

No but seriously...I was into it for a bit and now I'm just all about easy. It is fun to mix stuff. But I hear you on, Do I really want to spend all this time, effort and an initial outlay of money to make my own stuff?

The cleaning stuff on your list is all stuff I don't make. At craftier times when I felt motivated, I have tried laundry detergent - worked for a while then covered everything in a film of soap (I did my friend suess' recipe with Dr Bronner's...the one that is all over the Internet). I have tried dishwasher detergent...no recipe I tried worked. I just use a damp microfiber cloth or the vacuum for wood dusting...I have never found I needed anything more and the recipes looked a bit intense if I remember right (olive oil? beeswax?).

[QUOTE=mamabear;2911417
I have tried laundry detergent - worked for a while then covered everything in a film of soap (I did my friend suess' recipe with Dr Bronner's...the one that is all over the Internet)QUOTE]

Awwww:heart: Suess!
I used that recipe for about a year! I even laminated it. After awhile though, it did leave a film on diapers, and just didn't seem to get stains out that well.

My fave wood polishing recipe is from Clean House, Clean PLanet-
olive oil, lemon essential oil and a little vinegar. I kept mine a squeeze bottle and shook it well before using.

Although I have to admit that since Method came out, I too have near totally abandoned homemade cleaners.

I use dr/bronner's sal suds for my floors though. And for most any other cleaning that needs a bucketful of hot soapy water. works good on dishes too.

I started making my own after reading some threads here. DH has a very very bad habit of leaving spray stuff down where the boys can get it and we have had some scary incidents. I really like the all purpose stuff I mixed up and the kids have been helping with the cleaning a lot lately because they like it too. I hadn't expected that, but it is a nice benefit. :)

nak

i should have my ingredients on Friday so I will be playing chemist this weekend!

I have found in the past that my house is just not as clean without some commercial cleaners. I don't know why but I find that if I use homemade cleaners for a while, everything starts to look dingy and I have to sweep through with something more heavy duty.

I don't think you need to make a big deal out of making homeamade cleaners unless you want to. I basically put some water, vinegar and Dr. Bronner's peppermint in a squirt bottle, shake and clean.

For the shower I use an old plastic container of baking soda, a scrubbie sponge and Dr. Bronner's peppermint soap. I take my shower, and then while the water is still hot and running, I sprinkle baking soda on my wet sponge, put a squirt of Bronner's on top and scrub away, my tub has never been as clean!!

For the toilet I do the vinegar/baking soda volcano.

For the microwave, I boil a cup of water with baking soda in it and then wipe it clean.

Ooh, I saw a new one on How Clean Is Your House? last week. Put corn flour (I assumed that is the UK version of cornstarch, and it seems to work fine) and water in a spray bottle, shake and use for cleaning dirty/grimy windows. My windows came out really nice!

It sure has been a good move for me.

I have been making my own cleaners for a number of years now. (I can't remember when I started *lol*.....I think between 4 and 5 years ago now)

I added making my own laundry detergent about 9 months ago when I finally found a recipe that actually works as well are the ready-made stuff. I had tried laundry detergent in the past and hated the results but love this recipe and will stick with it.

Just last month I think I finally have a toilet bowl cleaner that I can tolerate. (a homemade one)

That about does it. I make my fabric softener, floor cleaner, all purpose cleaner, carpet cleaner etc...etc...

As soon as the last of my febreeze is gone, I'm going to make my own version of that too.

I really encourage you to do it. Not only for the health of your family, and the environment, but it really has helped our budget too. I also enjoy knowing that I can make this stuff on my own!

:)

Michelle

Ooh, I saw a new one on How Clean Is Your House? last week. Put corn flour (I assumed that is the UK version of cornstarch, and it seems to work fine) and water in a spray bottle, shake and use for cleaning dirty/grimy windows. My windows came out really nice!

What ratio did you use? I am not happy with my vinegar and purified water window and glass cleaner. I'd love to find something better.

Michelle

i got as far as making lavendar fabric softener and peppermint softener (vinegar and Eo) the smell is great but we are already going through it quickloy b/c everyone loves how it makes the laundryroom smell. i might need to reserve it for occasional use! :lol:


Michelle what is your Fav cleaning recipe?

I am cleaning the bathrooms today and will try some different formulas.

I think if I had a good recipe and I could add patchouli, then I'd be a happy girl with a clean house LOL.

What ratio did you use? I am not happy with my vinegar and purified water window and glass cleaner. I'd love to find something better.

Michelle

I know; vinegar/water isn't my favorite either for glass. I um, eyeballed it. :) I would say I probably used 1/4 cup of cornstarch to a 20 oz spray bottle? Then shook it up really well (and shake it before I use it each time).

eta: found this googling:

Glass and Window Cleaner
- 2 tablespoons cornstarch, 1 cup white vinegar, 1 gallon warm water; Mix the ingredients in a bucket and use to scrub windows.

LIVING : Household Tips : Window Cleaning : DIY Network (http://www.diynetwork.com/diy/lv_household_tips/article/0,2041,DIY_14119_4828606,00.html)

Awesome window cleaner!! - Cleaning Tips Forum - GardenWeb (http://ths.gardenweb.com/forums/load/cleaning/msg0913303129156.html)

i got as far as making lavendar fabric softener and peppermint softener (vinegar and Eo) the smell is great but we are already going through it quickloy b/c everyone loves how it makes the laundryroom smell. i might need to reserve it for occasional use! :lol:


Michelle what is your Fav cleaning recipe?

I am cleaning the bathrooms today and will try some different formulas.

I like the recipe for Merlins Magic from the book [u]Clean House Clean Planet[/i] for a "all-purpose" cleaner and disinfectant. It is simple and the ingredients are: Liquid soap (I use dr B's liquid peppermint scented), purified water, tea tree oil. If you use a 16 oz squirt bottle, fill it almost full with water than then add 3T of the soap and 20-30 drops of the tea tree oil.

I recently tried (and so far like) this all purpose dry mix that a friend suggested:
EQUAL PARTS: Borax, Baking Soda, Washing Soda.
I used 1/4 cup of it as a toilet bowl cleaner and it is working pretty good.
My friend also uses this dry mix for diswasher soap and for floors/countertops, as a "soft soap", "febreeze", and she uses it in her carpet cleaner machine but adds 1/2 tsp dish soap to that per tank. I have not done any of those. (still use retail dishwasher soap)

I use the following on carpets (dry powder that you sprinkle and vacuum up):
Baking Soda and some kind of EO that I feel like smelling. I just put it in a empty plastic container (I happen to have a sour cream one) and poked a bunch of holes in the top lid so I can sprinkle it. I use the same thing as my "soft scrub" cleanser. I just keep this at my kitchen sink all the time.

My laundry fabric softener is: purified water, vinegar, and EO. I make up about 3 pint (or maybe they are quart size) jars of it at a time and use those plastic lids you can buy instead of the metal ones since the vinegar makes the metal lids yucky.

Here is the laundry soap recipe I love. If you get your soap from Mo's Soap (online) please give them my name because I think I may get a discount on my next order if you tell them I recommended them. Just order a 3# log of the bulk basic lye soap. ($13 and they can fit 4 logs in a flate rate USPS box) This is the only soap I have used in my laundry recipe that does not require me to dissolve the soap in hot water before adding it to the laundry. I have a super huge washing machine and use 2 T per full load:
MIX UP FOR ONE BATCH (I make a bunch at once since we have a big family)
*1/3 C. Baking Soda
*1/3 C. Washing Soda (Arm and Hammer brand in a yellow box)
*1/3 C. Borax
*1/3 C. grated Mo's soap (or if you want, use Felsnaptha bar soap or Zote soap, grated up but I had to dissolve these in hot water before adding to my machine)

Here is the link for Mo's Soap:
http://www.mosoap.com/

Anyway, that is all I can think to share. :)

Michelle

I know; vinegar/water isn't my favorite either for glass. I um, eyeballed it. :) I would say I probably used 1/4 cup of cornstarch to a 20 oz spray bottle? Then shook it up really well (and shake it before I use it each time).

eta: found this googling:

Glass and Window Cleaner
- 2 tablespoons cornstarch, 1 cup white vinegar, 1 gallon warm water; Mix the ingredients in a bucket and use to scrub windows.

LIVING : Household Tips : Window Cleaning : DIY Network (http://www.diynetwork.com/diy/lv_household_tips/article/0,2041,DIY_14119_4828606,00.html)

Awesome window cleaner!! - Cleaning Tips Forum - GardenWeb (http://ths.gardenweb.com/forums/load/cleaning/msg0913303129156.html)

Thanks :) I understand about eyeballing it....I do that with my laundry soap recipe now that I've gotten use to using it.

I'll print those off and try them out!
Michelle

I forgot to add what I use for floors. It is also from the book I mentioned above.

White distilled vinegar, purified water, EO. Equal amounts of the water and vinegar. Add the EO to your liking.

Shake up, squirt on the floor and clean up with mop or rag.

Michelle

i made a florr solution and it SUX! LOL! It left a residue all over the floors and I had to mop 5 times and they still look like crud! ARGH!!!

honestly, I have had trouble with homemade floor solutions in the past as well. Currently, I sweep, then wet a rag with hot water, wring it out and then squirt some Dr. Bronner's or other liquid soap on the rag and use that.

what is mrs meyers?

Can I ask what you use all purpose dry/spray cleaners for?

Because all I use is dish detergent, laundry detergent and occasionally baking soda for tub/sink/toilet. Other than that I use warm water and sponge/mop/window squege (sp?), lol. And occasional stain remover for laundry.

The only thing I could improve on is stain remover, now and then I get nasty oxyclean (or something like that), the natural stuff I've tried works only sometimes and every so many months I need something stronger. This is something I have not seen recipes for though. I know a ton of remedies for one or another type of stain but what I need is a mystery stain treatment, lol.